8 Tips for Living Greener at Home

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Access Realty ~ 478.960.8055 anita@cbssk.com

One of my goals this year is to live a little greener.  You know, being a bit more conservation minded so future generations can also enjoy our planet.  Here are 8 easy (and cheap) tips to jumpstart your own green efforts.

  1. Tips for going green - Courtesy of your Warner Robins RealtorUse rechargeable batteries.  Between remotes, wall clocks, and gizmos/gadgets you will not only save money long-term on battery purchases but will also keep batteries out of landfills.
  2. Heat or A/C only the rooms you use.  If you have unused rooms, close the vents and doors for more efficient use of resources.  Added benefit: saving $$$ on your utility bills.
  3. Install a low-flow shower head and shorten your shower time.  Easy ways to conserve water and lessen the environmental impact.
  4. Start using Compact Flourescent Lightbulbs (CFL).  According to EnergyStar, if every home replaced just 1 light with a CFL we would "prevent 9 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions per year, equivalent to those from about 800,000 cars". 
  5. Recycle used products.  Nearly every community has a recycle center, use yours.
  6. Opt out of unsolicited mail. Save a tree and eliminate junk mail. 
  7. Install a programmable thermostat.  Pre-program it to regulate the temperature when you want it most.  Cost savings on both energy consumption and equipment use.  
  8. Use reusable bags for shopping (if creative, make your own). 
  9. Bonus (a little more expensive): Replace an existing appliance with an Energy Star rated model.

As always, buyer/seller tips are provided as a courtesy by your Warner Robins Realtor.

Visit my Warner Robins Real Estate website or call me at (478) 960-8055 for all your Warner Robins Real Estate needs.

Comments (21)

Ginny Gorman
RI Real Estate Services ~ 401-529-7849~ RI Waterfront Real Estate - North Kingstown, RI
Homes for Sale in Southern RI and beyond

Anita, it just makes sense...many states have state sponsored energy reduction programs or through your energy provider...i've used it & saved at least 30% on my bill...great advice...

May 02, 2011 11:43 PM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Anita - These are great tips.  Many of them will save energy and money, so a win win.

May 02, 2011 11:44 PM
Kristine Ginsberg
Elite Staging and Redesign, LLC - Short Hills, NJ
NJ Home Stager

Good morning Anita - I use most of these ideas already but don't do the unsolicited mail one and always think what a waste of paper as I stand over the garbage throwing it all out. I'm going to save them in the future and contact the company and ask that they stop sending stuff to my house - now that would save a few trees - maybe a Forest - lol! Great tips!

May 02, 2011 11:45 PM
Bill Gassett
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Hopkinton, MA
Metrowest Massachusetts Real Estate

Saving money and going green go hand in hand! Nice job with your tips!

May 03, 2011 12:15 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Anita,

Great tips..we have done many of them also! We found calling companies to please remove us from their mailing list has caused them to send another one! We are getting 2 solicitations now instead of one! aghhhhh!!!

May 03, 2011 12:38 AM
Peter Schattenfield
Turning Point Estate Services LLC - Wilton, CT
Estate Dissolution and Preparation (203)388-8092 CT.

Anita, This past Sunday we had the our first annual Wilton Go Green Festival. We had over 100  different booths rangign from auto dealers with their most fuel efficient cars to solar panel installers. One program that I  found here was the CT energy efficient fund program. Our local utilities subsidize most of the cost for an energy audit of your (or my) home. They come in and seal drafts. cracks and leaks, provide and install energy efficient lighting and provide and install hot water saving low-flow shower heads. All for a nominal fee I think it was $75.00. Free for qualified low income candidates. I have made an appointment.

May 03, 2011 12:39 AM
Patrick White
Home Driven Realty, Inc - Baldwin, NY
Driven to bring New Yorkers home

Good Morning Anita

Thanks for the post and the 8 tips. Have a great day.

May 03, 2011 12:45 AM
Jon Solomon
Javic Homes - Tampa, FL

It's often easier than most people think.  Although I'm not completely sold on the CFLs.  Thanks for the very nice post.

May 03, 2011 12:52 AM
Jerry Newman
Brown Realty, 210-789-4216,www.JeremiahNewman.com - San Antonio, TX
Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

Hi Anita, This a nice list for going green. I love item No. 6. I am having one of those programmable thermostats added soon.

May 03, 2011 01:50 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Anita, great list for us to start being more GREEN!    I need to opt out of junk mail, and save 3 trees!

May 03, 2011 02:04 AM
Al & Peggy Cunningham, Brokers
RE/MAX West Realty Inc., Brokerage - Brampton, ON
Our Family Wants To Help Your Family!

Hey Anita, we follow most of your ideas, but the shower thing... we like strong, maybe we will start showering every other day, that should work.

May 03, 2011 03:04 AM
Craig Rutman
Helping people in transition - Cary, NC
Raleigh, Cary, Apex area Realtor

I'm happy to report that I'm doing all of these things... most of the time. The exception is #8. Sometimes I just forget to bring my own bags.

May 03, 2011 03:30 AM
Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400
The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY
Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

Great Tips Anita for Going Green ~ We recycle, recycle and recycle!

May 03, 2011 04:06 AM
Anita Clark
Coldwell Banker Access Realty ~ 478.960.8055 - Warner Robins, GA
Realtor - Homes for Sale in Warner Robins GA

BLiz...good to hear it.  Most of these are so simple to implement that they are easily overlooked.

Ginny...we have one here and it does save you money.  We also turn our hot water heater off at the breaker each morning (then back on at night) and save extra money on our utility bill.  We have hot water when we need it most, in the AM.

Absolutely Debbie...who doesn't like saving money and helping the environment at the same time.

Kristine...it has cut down on the amount of junk mail we receive and I am VERY thankful for that.

Thanks Bill...appreciate the comments.

Dorie...that is annoying.  A call to a manager might do the trick.

Peter...what a great program.  You'll have to blog about your experience with it.

Glad to help out Patrick.

You're right Jon, it's very easy. 

C'mon Jerry, you're not installing it yourself?  ;-) 

Go for it Joan.  Like Kristine mine went from my hand directly to the trash so I don't miss any of it.

Al/Peggy...LOL.  Not sure your clients will like that idea.

Craig...#8 is the one I have the hardest time with as well. 

Larry/Sheila...So what you're saying is that you recycle?!  HA!

May 03, 2011 10:32 AM
1~Judi Barrett
Integrity Real Estate Services 118 SE AVE N, Idabel, OK 74745 - Idabel, OK
BS Ed, Integrity Real Estate Services -IDABEL OK

Anita,

Great tips.. I am a "light turner offer"  if there is such a thing..

A few others to add:

Don't let the water run while brushing teeth.. turn it off and on.

Using a solar recharger for those rechargeable batteries is a real saver.

May 03, 2011 11:51 AM
Anita Clark
Coldwell Banker Access Realty ~ 478.960.8055 - Warner Robins, GA
Realtor - Homes for Sale in Warner Robins GA

Great tips Judi...thanks for adding to the list.

May 03, 2011 12:31 PM
Karen Hawkins, MBA - Langley & Surrey, BC
Royal Pro Real Estate Network - Langley, BC

Wonderfully useful tips, Anita - with blog posts like yours many more will be seeing "green"!  I've 'suggested' and bookmarked this for a future re-blog, with your permission.  As a NAGAB-certified GreenAgent, I love picking up great tips that all can use.

May 03, 2011 02:55 PM
Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

Anita, great tips and I am on top of the game...that is except for buying new appliances :)

May 03, 2011 04:21 PM
Joshua Zargari
MJ Decorators Workshop LI staging and home decorating - Lynbrook, NY
MJ Decorators Workshop

Good morning Anita.

These are great tip that will be a big help...

Have a nice day.

May 04, 2011 12:26 AM
Anita Clark
Coldwell Banker Access Realty ~ 478.960.8055 - Warner Robins, GA
Realtor - Homes for Sale in Warner Robins GA

Absolutely A-OK Karen, re-blog whenever you wish.

Rebecca...we bit that bullet last year when we re-did our kitchen. 

Thanks Joshua...much appreciated.

May 04, 2011 11:27 AM

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